This episode includes odds n’ sods, Old Scroates and Points of View about AD&D.
Introduction 00.15
Dirk muses over the ridiculous, complicated numbering strategy adopted by the podcast and introduces Ric and Tim, the stars of this part of the episode.
Old Scroates (Part 1) 04.15
It’s not a proper theGROGNARDfiles episode without a cheeky mention of Runequest. Tim tells the story of playing with John Quaife, contributor to White Dwarf, back in the day.
Potted History (Part 1) 15.17
The original story of D&D.
Old Scroates (Part 2) D&D Tales 25.04
Tim and Ric share their experiences of playing D&D with reports of games they have played.
Potted History (Part 2) 36.29
What happened to D&D during our deep freeze.
Old Scroates (Part 3) 40.31
Tim and Ric address some of the issues that have been raised in our AD&D episode.
Post Bag 01.02
Blythy joins Dirk as we rifle through the bag of holding to pick out some interesting points of view. Please be aware that your head may rattle when the Demon Overlord appears.
Outro 01.28
Updates on the latest news from the Patreon projects. Please note that contrary to what is said in this bit, GROGMEET is not taking place 10 years ago.
Thank you to all of our supporters and listeners. If you get chance, please pop a review on iTunes. Thanks Dirk.
So, after we’ve covered the Dungeon Masters Guide it’s time for us to get to the nitty-gritty of the core rules.
INTRODUCTION 0:19
The story so far and a review from iTunes. Please review us too, if you haven’t already.
WHITE DWARF SCENARIOS (Part 1) 4:54
@dailydwarf makes his first, controversial, pick from his personal best AD&D scenarios in White Dwarf and lists the ‘also rans’.
JUDGE BLYTHY RULES! 13:24
We got a mention on the very entertaining Old School podcast SAVE OR DIE. They have an interview with Chris Holmes, son of Dr J. Eric Holmes, author of D&D Basic from back in the day.
WHITE DWARF SCENARIOS (Part 2) 44:54
GAMES MASTER’S SCREEN 50:22
Two wizards dual to the death on the blackened heath.
WHITE DWARF SCENARIOS (Part 3) 1:22
POST BAG 1:29
I’ve made a contribution to the Rolistes Podcast Foodie Special.
Last couple of tickets remain for Grog-Meet in November.
Become an honorary member of The Armchair Adventurers by putting a few coins in the beret as a tip, at the Patreon site. Watch the video I made too, I’m very proud of it.
Roll up! Roll up! Finally, the GROGNARD files turns it’s attention to the grand daddy of them all. Make some space in your pod box for a 2 hour spectacular.
Introduction. Dirk shows off his new turn table and invites you to add songs to his RPG playlist
1. Daily Dwarf Open Box. 7.04 – Find out how @dailydwarf was introduced to the hobby via Dungeons and Dragons.
2. Open Box. 11.08. The Armchair Adventurers talk about the early days of playing D&D with only one third of the rules and discovering the red box in ’83.
3. The White Dwarf. 32.39 @dailydwarf begins his personal selection of articles from the greatest RPG magazine of them all.
4. Open Box Again 41.00 The Armchair Adventurers rediscover AD&D in the early 21st Century.
5. The White Dwarf. 54.11 @dailydwarf continues his picks.
6. Judge Blythy Rules! 1.00 Judge Blythy pours over the finer details of The Dungeon Master’s Guide while Dirk rides in on a high horse.
7. The White Dwarf. @dailydwarf concludes his choices with praise for Lew Pulsipher’s contributions.
8. Thanks to new Patreons and a request for entries to our postbag. Next time we’ll be looking at The Player’s Handbook.
This is the supplement to the first part … a companion which is all about STORMBRINGER supplements.
We have had some encouraging iTunes reviews … if you haven’t done one, then please do because it will tax all those Apple algorithms.
GAME-MASTERS SCREEN (4:46)
Blythy joins me in the Octagon Tower to look at some of the key supplements for the early editions of STORMBRINGER.
If you want an antidote to our gushing … then please listen to System Mastery for an alternative view.
ED’S BARGAIN SHED (43:07)
Eddy shares his ‘Bargainometer’ to help listeners build up their collection of early STORMBRINGER material.
SHOW AND TELL (56:31)
This is a new ‘occasional’ section where we look at our joint archives to help illustrate a subject. This time we are delving into the boxes labelled ‘Moorcockania’.
Here are a couple of useful links to help you begin your journey into the Multiverse and beyond …
If you want to read Moorcock’s tome that tackles the Inklings – then Wizardry and Wild Romance is still in print.
Colin Greenland’s extended interview in Death is no Obstacle is a bit harder to find.
I’ve created a Spotify playlist entitled Wondrous Stories so you can collaborate in a list of music that you played back in the day for #4rpgmusic
If you have never experienced the joy of Elric before and want to get a ‘flavour’ then the graphic novel The Ruby Throne is highly recommended.
If you want to learn more about The Final Programme, then head over to Hypnogoria where host Mr Jim Moon will guide you … “I have it on good authority that the world is going to end. I’m going home to watch it on television.”
POSTBAG (1:23)
Listener contributions and special thanks to our Patreon members.
If you want to listen to Rolistes Podcast with great Dragonmeet content … then tell Kalum I sent you …
Next time … get calculating your THACO because we are talking ADVANCED Dungeons and Dragons.
The story of STORMBRINGER’s origins with new material from Ken St Andre – look out for a transcript of the conversation we had with him on theGROGNARDfiles.com, coming soon.
SECTION 2: OPEN BOX (16:59)
Blythy joins me in a faithful reconstruction of his teenage bedroom to discuss the early games we played of STORMBRINGER.
SECTION 3: THE WHITE DWARF (35:41)
A magnificent contribution by @dailydwarf about the dog-days of White Dwarf’s hey day and the brilliant The Madcap Laughs adventure for STORMBRINGER that appeared in the august journal.
SECTION 4: JUDGE BLYTHY RULES! (51:36)
The resident Agent of Law, Judge Blythy takes on the chaotic ‘Guantlet of Hand-Waving’ during an analysis of the rules
SECTION 5: THERE ISN’T ONE (01:23:00)
What to look forward to in Part 2 (supplements, a ‘show and tell’ of Moorcock miscellany’ and listener post bag).
Please write to us by commenting on the site or sticking a review on iTunes.
In a break with the usual format, The Armchair Adventurers are at risk of disappearing up their own fundament.
It’s too short to break in two, too long to listen in one go, so disappointing either way. Take your time, pause a little, as you listen to the blow by blow account of our big day out.
INTRODUCTION
It’s 30 years since we last went to a Games Convention. We went to Dragonmeet ’15 in December, this is a reflection on what we did when we were there and how things have changed in gaming in the meantime.
This introduction includes a A brief potted history of Dragonmeet, with extra bits of information provided by Modiphius.
OPEN BOX
The morning of the day before, Judge Blythy joins Dirk as we plan the trip and reminisce about Games Cons of the past.
WHITE DWARF
Everything comes back to White Dwarf and it’s coverage of Games Conventions back in the day were our way of enjoying them vicariously.
While we were there, we interviewed Mike Cule, star of the stage and screen, and the author of RUMBLE AT THE TIN INN (amongst others) and one of the hosts of Improvised Radio Theatre with Dice.
ED’S BARGAIN SHED
Eddy, the resident bargain-hunter in chief, shares his Dragonmeet haul and takes on the 20 quid challenge.
POSTBAG
Listeners share their convention experiences.
Normal service will be resumed next time when we discuss STORMBRINGER.
In this episode, we return to Traveller, and look at some of the supplements for the game. When it comes to politics, we are as woolly as John Stewart Mill riding a sheep and wearing cardigans, so we examine our attitudes towards the politics of the Imperium.
Games master’s Screen: Judge Blythy enjoys the benefit of High Passage, as his status demands, however he is less enamoured the concept of the D66.
The usual memories and discussion around the selected supplements take place.
Postbag: There’s been much interest in Traveller including a game description by Andrew Cousins. I also reflect upon the recent Runequest Classic kickstarter.
Section One – Open Box – reliving the memories of playing the game for the first time with Blythy, who was our referee back in the day. We introduce ‘the prime directive’ and Blythy has a black mark on his wall.
Section Two – White Dwarf – @dailydwarf talks about his early experiences of playing Traveller and makes a selection of an article, scenario and ‘Starbase’ column from the pages of the UK’s best gaming magazine.
Section Three – Judge Blythy Rules – Listing three great mechanics and one that doesn’t quite work, the resident rules-lawyer goes ‘under the bonnet’.
Section Four – An invitation to listeners to contribute their stories of playing Traveller. What’s your favourite supplement?
Look out for a Micro Grog-Pod (Traveller – Part Two) coming soon featuring a list of our favourite Traveller supplements and a current online pricing guide.
